anterbury and counselled him to send for all the lords of the realm and
all the gentlemen of arms, that they should to London come by Christmas.

So the Archbishop, by the advice of Merlin, sent for all the lords and
gentlemen of arms that they should come by Christmas even unto London.
So in the greatest church of London, whether it were Paul's or not the
French book maketh no mention, all the estates were long or day in the
church for to pray. And when matins and the first mass were done, there
was seen in the churchyard, against the high altar, a great stone four
square, like unto a marble stone, and in midst thereof was like an anvil
of steel a foot on high, and therein stuck a fair sword, and letters
there were written in gold about the sword that said thus:

"Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone and
anvil, is rightwise king born of all England."

Then the people marveled and told it to the Archbishop. "I command,"
said the Archbishop, "that you keep you within your church, and pray
unto God still; that no man touch the sword till the high mass be all
done."

So when all masses were done, all the lords went to behold the stone and
the sword. And when they saw the scripture, some assayed; such as would
have been king. But none might stir the sword nor move it. "He is not
here," said the Archbishop, "that shall achieve the sword, but doubt not
God will make him known. But this is my counsel," said the Archbishop,
"that we provide ten knights, men of good fame, and they to keep this
sword."

So it was ordained, and there was made a cry, that every man should
essay that would, for to win the sword. And upon New Year's Day the
barons let make a jousts and a tournament, that all knights that would
joust or tourney there might play, and all this was ordained for to keep
the lords and the commons together, for the Archbishop trusted that God
would make him known that should win the sword. So upon New Year's Day,
when the service was done, the barons rode unto the field, some to joust
and some to tourney, and so it happened that Sir Ector rode unto the
jousts, and with him rode Sir Kay his son, and young Arthur that was his
nourished brother; and Sir Kay had been made knight at All Hallowmass
afore.

So as they rode to the joustsward, Sir Kay had lost his sword, for he
had left it at his father's lodging, and so he prayed young Arthur for
to ride for his sword. "I will well," said Arthur, and rod